BACKGROUND: Structural and functional changes of the brain have been reported in premature babies. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship of functional and structural connectivity with gestational age, body growth and brain maturation in very preterm babies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 18 very preterm babies (gestational age: mean ± standard deviation, 29.7±1.7 weeks). We examined functional connectivity by multivariate pattern analysis of resting-state functional MRI data. We assessed structural connectivity by analysis of diffusion tensor imaging data and probabilistic tractography. RESULTS: The average functional connectivity of the medial orbitofrontal cortex with the rest of the brain was positively associated with gestational age (P<0.001). Fractional anisotropy of the right inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus was positively associated with head circumference at term-equivalent age. Structural connectivity of the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus with the medial orbitofrontal cortex was positively associated with head circumference at term-equivalent age. Body weight at term-equivalent age was the only independent predictor of average structural connectivity of the medial orbitofrontal cortex with the rest of the brain (P=0.020). CONCLUSION: Structural and functional connectivity of the medial orbitofrontal cortex with the rest of the brain depend on body growth and degree of prematurity, respectively.
BACKGROUND: Structural and functional changes of the brain have been reported in premature babies. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship of functional and structural connectivity with gestational age, body growth and brain maturation in very preterm babies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 18 very preterm babies (gestational age: mean ± standard deviation, 29.7±1.7 weeks). We examined functional connectivity by multivariate pattern analysis of resting-state functional MRI data. We assessed structural connectivity by analysis of diffusion tensor imaging data and probabilistic tractography. RESULTS: The average functional connectivity of the medial orbitofrontal cortex with the rest of the brain was positively associated with gestational age (P<0.001). Fractional anisotropy of the right inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus was positively associated with head circumference at term-equivalent age. Structural connectivity of the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus with the medial orbitofrontal cortex was positively associated with head circumference at term-equivalent age. Body weight at term-equivalent age was the only independent predictor of average structural connectivity of the medial orbitofrontal cortex with the rest of the brain (P=0.020). CONCLUSION: Structural and functional connectivity of the medial orbitofrontal cortex with the rest of the brain depend on body growth and degree of prematurity, respectively.
Keywords:
Brain; Connectivity; Infants; Magnetic resonance imaging; Prematurity
Authors: Valentina Doria; Christian F Beckmann; Tomoki Arichi; Nazakat Merchant; Michela Groppo; Federico E Turkheimer; Serena J Counsell; Maria Murgasova; Paul Aljabar; Rita G Nunes; David J Larkman; Geraint Rees; A David Edwards Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2010-11-01 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: G Ball; P Aljabar; T Arichi; N Tusor; D Cox; N Merchant; P Nongena; J V Hajnal; A D Edwards; S J Counsell Journal: Neuroimage Date: 2015-09-02 Impact factor: 6.556
Authors: M I Argyropoulou; L G Astrakas; V G Xydis; A Drougia; V Mouka; I Goel; V Giapros; S Andronikou Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2020-02-13 Impact factor: 3.825
Authors: Maria I Argyropoulou; Vasileios G Xydis; Aikaterini Drougia; Anastasia S Giantsouli; Vasileios Giapros; Loukas G Astrakas Journal: Neuroradiology Date: 2021-08-03 Impact factor: 2.804